Air circulator with releasable air grille

ABSTRACT

A recirculating fan, for installation in an upper region of a building space, and having, a housing, a fan, an air vent ring defining an intake path and a discharge path, an air grille for the intake and discharge paths, 
     the air grille being releasably attached to the housing and being moveable relative to the housing, and releasable fastening devices for releasably fastening the air grille to the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a recirculating fan for recirculating air in anupper region of space downwardly, with a view to maintaining equaltemperature throughout the space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that heat in a room rises to the ceiling, and that thelower region of the room may seem cool. In such conditions people in theroom may demand additional heat whereas in fact the air in the upperregion of the room is warm and does not require additional heat.

In hotter climates, it is a common practice to circulate air downwardlyfrom upper regions of a room in order to create some air circulationwithin the space.

Various forms of air circulating fans are available. Typically such fansare large bladed devices often combined with ceiling mounted lightingfixtures.

Such devices have their uses, but also have disadvantages. Particularlyif a space does not have sufficient height for mounting such arecirculating fan system, they are unsuitable for use. They may also beconsidered unsightly, and are drafty.

Such fans are also inefficient. Since there is no ducting there is atendency for these fans to simply create turbulence without achievingmuch result.

Accordingly there have been developed recirculating fans whichincorporate baffles which act as ducting. These fans may be recessedwithin the ceiling, or in other cases may simply be mounted in an upperregion of a space. Typically, if ceiling mounted, the ceilings would bea type of suspended ceiling, typically having ceiling panels supportedon a frame work of T shape metals strips. Such suspended ceilings ordropped ceilings are well known. Recirculating fans have been developedfor use in such dropped or suspended ceilings.

Such fans may also be used in industrial space, where there is nodropped ceiling, but simply a roof. In these cases the fans can besuspended from any upper structure, such as a beam, in the building.

Examples are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,730,551 and 6,974,381.

The recirculating fans shown in these patents and others, consistsessentially of a rectangular housing, which is supported on the ceilingTees. Within the housing a recirculating fan is provided. Around theedge of the fan, there are intake grilles or slots. Usually centrallyaligned with the fan there are outlet grilles or slots, for directingthe recirculating air downwardly.

Within the housing there are walls which direct outflowing airdownwardly, and which cause induction of air through the surroundingintake slots.

Such systems have found wide acceptance, and have proved effective inuse.

It is found however that in spite of the popularity of these systems,the systems will gradually accumulate dust, or may in fact requireservicing for some other reason. In the past this has usually requiredremoving the unit, and disconnecting it from the electrical supply.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the view to overcoming some of these problems the inventioncomprises a recirculating fan, for installation in a recess in aceiling, and providing an external lower profile which is level with theceiling, and comprising a housing, a fan within the housing, a vent ringand bracket within the housing defining an intake path and a dischargepath of said housing, an air flow grille providing both an intake adischarge path of the housing, and a support frame for the air grille,the support frame being releasably attached to the housing and beingmoveable relative to the housing, and a releasable fastening device forreleasably fastening the support frame to the housing.

Preferably, the invention further provides such a recirculating fan,wherein the support frame for the air grille is hinged to the housingalong one side, and is swingable relative to the housing, for access tothe interior of the housing.

Preferably, the invention further provides such a recirculating fan inwhich the vent ring in the housing is open and accessible whereby whensaid support frame and grille is moved away from said housing, accessmay be had to both air intake path and air discharge path within thehousing for servicing.

Preferably, the invention further provides such a recirculating fan inwhich the frame has two hinge flanges, and in which the fan housing hastwo hinge slots, in which the hinge flanges can be inserted into andremoved from the hinge slots, so that the entire grille frame, and airgrille can be removed from the fan for servicing.

Preferably, the invention further provides such a recirculating fan inwhich the fastenings for the frame are sheet metal sections secured bypivots to the frame along its edges, and can swing up and down, andincluding fastening slots in the housing for receiving the fastenings,and tongue portions on the fastenings by which they can be operated.

Preferably, the invention further provides such a recirculating fan, inwhich the recirculating fan is mounted directly on a motor, and in whichthe motor is secured on a bracket within the housing, thereby permittingaccess to the fan when the support frame and air grille are opened.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated and described preferredembodiments of the invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a lower perspective illustration of a recirculating fanillustrating the invention with the air grille opened;

FIG. 2 is a section of the fan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section of an alternate embodiment for use in a buildingwithout a dropped ceiling;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of the hinge; and,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail of the fastening.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

As discussed above, the invention relates to a recirculating fan, forrecirculating air from an upper region to a lower region within abuilding. Many such fans are for use in a recessed ceiling opening. Insuch a location, the fan and motor and housing are all recessed within arecess in the ceiling so that the only visible portion of therecirculating fan is the air grille, and support frame.

Other such fans, (FIG. 3), are used in buildings, typically industrialbuildings, where there is no dropped ceiling.

When such fans require simple service such as cleaning, then in somecases it has been necessary to remove the entire fan and housing fromits position. In other cases, the access to the interior of the housingis available only by removal of certain components using special tools,or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the invention isillustrated there in the form of a recirculating fan (10), installed ina recess in a ceiling. The recess in a ceiling may be for example arectangular recess in a plaster ceiling. In most cases the ceiling willbe of the type known as ceiling panels (P), supported on a crisscrossframing of ceiling Tees (T). Such ceilings and others are well known tothose in the art and require no illustration or further description. Theceiling tees (T) may be arranged to support square panels (P), or thepanels (P) may be rectangular, in which case the ceiling tees define arectangular pattern, all of which if well known.

The fan (10) has a shell or housing (12) of generally dome shape,attached to a lower four sided channel frame (14). Frame (14) is adaptedto seat on the ceiling tees (T), and the fan (10) replaces either acomplete panel (P) or a portion. If desired an extra length of ceilingtee (T) may be placed in position to support the fourth side of theframe (14).

Within the housing (12) a motor (16) is secured, and operates a fanblade (18).

A guide wall or vent ring (20) is secured on downwardly angled bracketarms (21) which are secured within housing (12). Wall or vent ring (20)defines a spacing between itself and housing (12), which separates wallor vent ring (20) from housing (12) thereby permitting air to flowupwardly into the housing (12) and around wall or vent ring (20) and bethen directed downwardly by the fan.

Wall or vent ring (20) is formed to define a central opening (22) ofcircular shape forming an air guide extending around fan blade (18).

Operation of the fan blade (18) will cause air to be inducted upwardlyinto the housing (see FIG. 2). Air will flow between wall or vent ring(20) and housing (12) and will then flow downwardly through opening (22)into the building space beneath.

An air grille (30) is provided, typically being in the form of thegenerally honeycomb like structure shown. However numerous forms or airgrilles are known, some of which have blades directing air flow in apredetermined direction. Others have several groups of adjustable bladesor guides for directing air in various directions.

The grille (30) is supported in a grille border or frame (32). In thiscase the grille (30) and border (32) are rectangular, since this suitsthe configuration of the typical ceiling tile ceiling. However otherconfigurations are known and could be used.

In order to give access to the fan for servicing, and for servicing thegrille itself, hinge flanges (34) are provided on one side of border(32). Flanges (34) are of sheet metal, and are formed with rightangularbends (36) defining tongues (38). Edgewise hooks (40) are formed ontongues (38) extending to one side.

Hinge slots (42) are formed in frame (14), along one side. Slots (42)are dimensioned to receive tongues (38) and hooks (40) of hinge flanges(34). By sliding the entire grille sideways the hooks (40) can engagethe edges of the frame (14) adjacent the slot (42) Hooks (40) provide anadded measure of security to hold the tongues (38) in the slots. Springplates (44) are secured to frame (14). Once the grille (30) is swung upinto position, the spring plates (44) engage the grille and preventvibration.

The tongues (38) can be completely removed from slots (42) by slidingthe tongues sideways and releasing the hooks (40). This permits theentire air grille (30) and frame (32) to be removed for servicing.

Fastening of the grille (30) and frame (32) is provided by fasteningsegments (46) formed of sheet metal.

Hooks (48) are formed on segments (46), and tabs (50) are formed topermit simple operation by means of a tool such as a screw driver, oreven by the fingers.

Fastening slots (52) are formed in frame (14) to receive segments (46).Hooks (48) fit over an adjacent portion of frame (14), and hold thegrille (30) and frame (32) in position.

To service the fan, or the grille, the removal of the grille is a simpleoperation, which can be achieved by the fingers, or with a simple handtool such as a screw driver. Once removed the grille can be serviced, orcleaned. The fan and housing are readily accessible.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment for use in a building, typically anindustrial or commercial building, which does not have a dropped ceilingwith ceiling tees and panels.

The air space within such buildings is usually open right up to theunderside of the roof, or the underside of the next floor above, in amultistory building.

In this embodiment the housing (60) defines a circular central opening(62). There is an annular air guide wall (64) surrounding the opening.The fan (66) is located in the opening (62) supported by brackets (68)attached with housing (60) surrounded by the wall (64). Operation of thefan will simply draw air down from the space above the fan and directdown into the lower region of the building.

The grille (66) is mounted as described above in the embodiment of FIGS.1 and 2.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention which is given here by way of example only. The invention isnot to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described,but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A recirculating fan, for installation in abuilding, and comprising; a housing; a fan on the housing; a vent ringwall defining an intake path and a discharge path of said housing; anair grille registering with the discharge paths, the air grille defininga hinged side and an opening side; hinges along said hinged side; andreleasable fastening devices on said opening side for releasablyfastening the air grille to the housing.
 2. A recirculating fan asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the support frame is hinged to the housingalong one side, and is swingable relative to the housing, for access tothe interior of the housing.
 3. A recirculating fan as claimed in claim1, and 2 wherein said vent ring wall defines an intake path and thedischarge path, open to the air grille, whereby when said support frameis moved away from said housing, access may be had to both intake pathand discharge path within the housing for servicing.
 4. A recirculatingfan as claimed in claim 1, and 2 wherein the frame has two hingeflanges, secured along one side, and in which the fan housing has twohinge slots formed along one side, in which the hinge flanges can beinserted into and removed from the hinge slots, so that the entiregrille frame, and air grille can be removed from the fan for servicing.5. A recirculating fan as claimed in claim 4 wherein the hinge flangesare rightangular, and define tongue portions fitting into the slots, andhooks extending sideways from the tongue portions for security.
 6. Arecirculating fan as claimed in claim 4 wherein the fastenings for theframe are sheet metal segments secured by pivots to the edges of theframe along its side opposite to the hinge flanges, and can swing up anddown between locking and releasing positions, and including fasteningslots in the housing for receiving the fastenings, and tongue portionson the fastenings by which they can be operated.
 7. A recirculating fanas claimed in claim 6 wherein the fastenings further define hookportions for engaging the housing adjacent to the slots, and tabs formanually operating the segments, to swing upwardly and downwardly.
 8. Arecirculating fan as claimed in claim 6 and 7 in which the recirculatingfan is mounted directly on a motor, and in which the motor is securedwithin the housing thereby permitting access to the fan when the supportframe is opened.
 9. A recirculating fan as claimed in claim 6 includingspring tongues extending between the frame and the air grille when theair grille is closed.
 10. A recirculating fan as claimed in claim 1wherein the housing is formed with an upwardly extending ring definingan air intake opening, and acting as said guide.
 11. A recirculatingfan, for installation in a building, and comprising; a housing; a fan onthe housing; a vent ring wall defining an intake path and a dischargepath of said housing; an air grille registering with the intake anddischarge paths, the air grille defining a hinged side and an openingside; hinges along said hinged side; and releasable fastening devices onsaid opening side for releasably fastening the air grille to thehousing.
 12. A recirculating fan as claimed in claim 11 wherein theframe has two hinge flanges, secured along one side, and in which thefan housing has two hinge slots formed along one side, in which thehinge flanges can be inserted into and removed from the hinge slots, sothat the entire grille frame, and air grille can be removed from the fanfor servicing.
 13. A recirculating fan as claimed in claim 12 whereinthe hinge flanges are rightangular, and define tongue portions fittinginto the slots, and hooks extending sideways from the tongue portionsfor security.
 14. A recirculating fan as claimed in claim 11 wherein thefastenings further define hook portions for engaging the housingadjacent to the slots, and tabs for manually operating the segments, toswing upwardly and downwardly.